On Wed/Thu Oct 15th to Dec 11th 2025 (9 weeks)
There’s a league or a division for all skill levels, from Starter to State/ECSL level.
2025 Juicebox Registration is Open
Nathan Walker Night
2025 NHL Playoffs Tipping Competition Fundraiser
Playoff time is almost here, and our tipping comp is back for its 6th year!
Same as last year: simple tipping every round, a big prize pool, and serious bragging rights.
We’re aiming for 100+ participants.
This is a fundraiser for our club development programs, such as Meerkats, Juicebox, etc. Please share with hockey fans.
Welcome to the 2025 Season
We’re thrilled to welcome you back and excited to begin despite the ongoing challenges of ice scarcity. The board has made every effort to keep costs down and ensure the club’s financial stability. Your support and understanding are truly valued as we embark on this exciting year together.
Below is all the essential information you need to be ready to play ice hockey in 2025.
On this page:
1- Training Times
On Wednesdays for 30 weeks from March 5th to Sept 24th.
- 7U/9U/11U – 5:30 to 6:30 pm (1hr)
- Ice cut (10min)
- U13 – 6:40 to 7:40 pm (1hr)
- Ice cut (10min)
- U15 – 7:50 to 8:50 pm (1hr)
- Ice cut (10min)
- 3 Senior teams – 9:00 to 10:30 pm* (1.5hr)
*Senior teams will rotate each week.
On Thursdays for 30 Weeks from March 6th to Sept 25th.
- Women 8:40 to 9:40 pm (Women U13+) 1 hr
Please review the 2025 year calendar for dates.
Gear requirements:
As always, to participate in club activities, you need all the gear. Seniors will also need to wear a neck guard. ) See the gear requirement list.
2- Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees
Ice hockey always has three types of fees to consider
a) Registration is from March 1st to Feb 28th every year. Our 2025 memberships are open, login here: Ice Zoo Hockey Club – Powered By esportsdesk.com
All newcomers who have never registered will need to sign up. Create a family and add your kids.
The new 2025 membership costs are listed below.
Please Note: When registering in ESD, you will pay for the IZHC club membership* and the Team Game Officials Fee** simultaneously.
*The club membership fee enables you to become a member and vote at AGMs. The funds raised from the membership are re-invested into hockey development and club activities.
*IHNSW charges each team with accredited game officials (referees and line officials). This does not apply to U9 players.
b) The 2025 training fees are as follows:
The total training fee covers you for all training sessions for the season and is non-refundable.
Women players who train with Foxes and with Seniors will get a 50% discount on the senior fee.
Payment
- Pay in three instalments by bank transfer or,
- Pay in full by CC here or by bank transfer.
Bank Transfer to:
Ice Zoo Hockey Club
BSB: 112879
Account: 414419320
USE PLAYERS NAME AS REFERENCE on payment
c) Game fees are an estimate at this stage since the IHNSW game schedule is not out yet.
- Team managers organise and pay rinks on game day.
- Some teams choose to collect in bulk.
- Teams will play around 15-20 games per season.
- The cost is usually around $25 to $30 per game.
SATURDAY 29th/30th March:
Season starts for Juniors (9U, 11U, 13U, 15U, 17U) and Senior 1
SATURDAY 26th/27th April:
Season starts for Women, Senior 2, Senior 3, Senior 4 and ECSL
2025 EOI – IZHC – Wolves – Foxes – Seniors
Hi All,
Happy New Year!
I hope you’re having a great holiday.
A- The expressions of interest (EOI) for 2025 are now open for all age groups and levels.
- For U9 Atoms, U11 Squirts, U13 Peewee, U15 Bantam and U17 Midgets
- Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CVooT4VuDvfxA2ow7
- Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CVooT4VuDvfxA2ow7
- For Arctic Foxes and Training Squad
- Sign Up here: https://forms.gle/ndtJki15SpjNQ9Gg8
- 2025 Coaching Crew
- Craig Zimmerman – Associate Coach, Asst Manager
- Gabe Robledo – Associate Coach
- Julia Pochini – Assistant Coach
- Natalie Caruso – Team manager
- 2025 Coaching Crew
- Sign Up here: https://forms.gle/ndtJki15SpjNQ9Gg8
- Seniors
- Sign-Up here: https://forms.gle/KroguG8nTgMPKsxYA
- Notes: In addition to the Apes and the Hippos looking for a few players, we are open to forming more teams in all divisions depending on the number of EOI.
- Tryouts will happen on a Wednesday night in February between 9 and 11 pm, with dates to be confirmed.
B- IZHC Training Ice Time for 2025
- Wednesday 5:30 to 6:30 pm (U9/U11) 1hr
- Wednesday 6:40 to 7:40 pm (U13) 1hr
- Wednesday 7:50 to 8:50 pm (U15) 1hr
- Wednesday 9 to 10 pm (U17) 1hr
- Wednesday 9 to 11 pm (Heat + 1 Senior team rotating (TBD)) 2hr
- Thursday 8:40 to 9:40 pm (Foxes/Women) 1 hr
C- Season Details
- February – Pre-season + Tryouts
- March – Team training starts.
- March 29/30th season starts for juniors, and others are TBC.
- Season Fees TBC in February, expect a slight increase on last year. (We are doing our best to keep inflation down to a minimum)
More to come soon.
2025 Team Coaches Announcement
As we look forward to an exciting 2025, we’re thrilled to unveil the exceptional coaching crew who will guide our teams through this coming year of growth, challenges, and achievements. These coaches bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to excellence, ensuring our athletes are equipped to reach new heights.
U7/U9 Mites and Atoms
Sasha (Alexander) D’jamirze – Head Coach
Sasha began his ice hockey journey at the age of five, starting with Blacktown. Progressing through the ranks, Alexander reached the pinnacle of representing the Blacktown AIHL Ice Dogs. His talent and dedication earned him the honour of representing Australia in the Asia Oceanic Cup for several consecutive years.
Sasha’s career highlights include a season with the prestigious Central Red Army Moscow Junior Under-21s team, where he honed his skills alongside top-tier players. Currently, Alexander is an integral member of the Ice Zoo Hockey Club, continuing his passion for the sport and bringing a wealth of experience to his team.
Thomas McGuire – Assistant Coach
Tom is from the UK where he found his passion for the game of hockey at the age of 10. He then went on to play for nine years playing in the English national league for the Jets for four where he became the assistant captain to the team. After re uniting with the game he has spent the past two years coaching the Atoms for the saints where he has loved watching the kids Excel within the game. Tom can not wait to be part of the team.
Jillian Murphy – Assistant Coach
Jillian (aka Billy) started ice hockey as an adult, first playing club hockey at Newcastle and then later at Bears and Canterbury. Jillian has played five seasons with the Sydney Sirens in the AWIHL as part of two gold medal championship teams. She has also represented NSW in the Boxall women’s national championship three times, twice as Assistant Captain winning one bronze medal. Jillian enjoys helping young players learn to skate and find their passion for ice hockey.
Hugh Deraps – Assistant Coach (Backup)
U11 Squirts
Matt Monaghan – Head Coach
Matt moved over from the USA and has over 30 years of hockey experience as a player and coach. He was a member of the 2001 Illinois high school state championship team and played 6 seasons in the AIHL, where he appeared in 100 games and averaged 1 point per game. In 2010, Matt finished in the top 3 for AIHL MVP voting. Beyond hockey, he also served as Head of Junior Development for Pitterwater Baseball.
Nic Heinecke – Assistant Coach
Nic brings technical skating knowledge gained competing in short track internationally, including being trained under top Canadian coaches in Montreal. In the local junior ranks, he claimed gold in all race distances at national championships each year and competed at the inaugural Junior World Championship in Seoul, Korea. Nic has international accreditation as a ski instructor and a love of going fast, which led to him becoming qualified as a FIS-accredited alpine racing coach. His vision is to deliver to the club training in skate mechanics so that the players can transform their gameplay with speed, efficiency, and technical excellence in the skating elements of the game.
Sasha Djamirze – Assitant Coach (Backup)
U13 Peewees
Hugh Deraps – Head Coach
Born in Montreal Quebec, Hugh has been coaching ice and inline hockey since 1999, combining decades of experience with a commitment to player development and the love of the game. A former coach for the state of Victoria, he has also been an active official in both sports across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Mentored by Ron Johnson of the EHS hockey program in Vancouver, Canada, Hugh brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the sport at every level.
Chip Graf – Assistant Coach
Chip started work in youth sports in Chicago as a baseball umpire for over 12 years, rising through the age leagues to officiate games up to 18 and under. During this time, he began coaching youth baseball and was a highly regarded Baseball hitting and pitching coach. During the winter months, Chip transitioned to basketball coaching. Upon moving to Australia in 2000, Chip was active in youth sports coaching and now works in sports his son is involved with. Chip has been a committee member and coach of the Alexandria Rovers U9 and U11. Chip has spent 3 years as an active coaching assistant and team manager with the Ice Zoo H.C. In his professional life, Chip is a top Sales Enablement trainer and general Learning & Development professional.
U15 Bantams
Alec Stephenson – Head Coach
Alec has over a decade of experience in the AIHL, won a gold medal with the U18 Australian Team and represented the U20 Australia Team. In 2013, he was a member of the Goodall Cup-winning Sydney Ice Dogs. With over 25 years of experience in the sport, alongside the contribution his family has made to ice hockey in Australia, he is beyond excited to help the Wolves develop and mentor the younger generation.
Geoff O’Hara – Assistant Coach
Geoff O’Hara has been playing and coaching for over two decades. Having competitive experience at the international level in multiple sports has led to a lifetime of personal development and learning aimed at helping any athlete at any point in their journey in sport get to the next level and potentially a level.
Daniel Dornak – Assistant Coach (Training)
Daniel began playing ice hockey when he was 5 in the Czech Republic’s elite series with Skoda Plzen and continued competing in various leagues, including QLD 1st Division, where he was part of championship-winning teams with the Brisbane Buccaneers. He’s coached ice hockey and floorball juniors, national teams, and club-level players, bringing innovative methods like video analysis, mental coaching, and team-building activities into his training. He was a Head Coach of the Australian Men’s National Floorball Team and Floorball Australia Coaching Director. Currently, he coaches youth ice hockey players at Ice Zoo, sharing his passion and expertise with the next generation.
U17 Midgets
Alec Stephenson – Coaching Director
Alec will oversee the team selection, train players and assist coaches with systems and game-day duties.
Ash Moore – Associate Coach
Born in the picturesque hills of Vernon, BC, Canada, Ashley’s passion for hockey was sparked on a homemade backyard rink, skating with an upside-down bin in hand. A move to Melbourne, Australia, replaced the rink with a pool and a makeshift cricket pitch, but the dream of hockey never faded.
His coaching journey began with the Wolves and quickly expanded to mentoring players across all junior levels.
Now a Level 2 coach, Ash was an Assistant Coach of the 2024 Gold Medal-winning NSW DeFries team. With a commitment to continuous learning from seasoned players and coaches, Ashley brings an inspiring blend of passion and expertise to help players.
Orion Lynch – Associate Coach
Orion stepped onto the ice at age 2 and began his hockey journey at 7 with the Eagles and Bears. His development included playing for the Sydney Sting on the East Coast from the age of 15 and attending a prestigious hockey camp in the Czech Republic. Orion completed year 12 at the Ontario Hockey Academy, where he competed in Major Midget U18 AA, before advancing to the United States to play Junior A hockey for the Missoula Jr. Bruins.
Daniel Dornak – Assistant Coach (Training)
Training Support Coaches
Luka Dimopoulous – Goalie Coach
Luka’s ice hockey journey began at the age of 6. With a daring spirit, Luka took on the role as a tendy and saw his team through the highs and lows of 16 seasons. Luka’s competitive career has seen him compete internationally in Canada, at state and national championships, the ECSL, AJIHL and AIHL level.
Committed to growing in his field, Luka has been trained by Jon Elkin’s Goalie School in Toronto, Canada. An academy that has worked with NHL goalies that we see today, Luka has attended elite camps and worked 1:1 with NCAA and NHL coaches.
Expanding his skillset, Luka is now a level 1 goalie coach, when he’s not standing between the pipes, he’s mentoring the up and coming goalies at the Australian National Development Camp and club level. Luka was the goalie coach of this year’s gold medal winning NSW Tange U18s team. By fine-tuning his techniques over the years, Luka has been committed to coaching and developing the next generation of goalies.
Ethan Caruso
Scott Epp
Marek Kapsa
Peter Dunn
2025 Season Coaches and Managers EOI
We are now taking expressions of interest for coaches and managers for all our teams for the 2025 Season.
We are always looking to add to our crew of coaches and managers. No experience is required, so if you’d like to give it a go and learn from our experienced crew.
Submission closes on December 1st.
Ice Zoo Hockey Club 2024 End of Season Event
Buy your event ticket online by 30th October 2024.
Ice Zoo Hockey Club would like to invite members and their families to our end of season afternoon celebration at Harold Park Community Hall, Forest Lodge. All players will receive a medal or trophy in recognition of the 2024 season.
This will be followed by afternoon refreshments.
Tickets are $10 each and include a raffle ticket. Family tickets are $30 and include a raffle ticket for each person. More raffle tickets will be available on the day. Come for a chance to win a fantastic prize.
2024 Juicebox Summer Leagues
Sanctioned by IHNSW, Juicebox’s 3rd annual league. Bigger than ever, from 7yo to Adults.
There’s something for everyone (Players, Goalies, Officials and coaches) and everylevel.
Welcome to the 2024 Season
Happy New Year, and welcome to the 2024 season.
Below is all the essential information you need to be ready to play ice hockey in 2024.
On this page:
- Pre-season, tryouts and team selections start Wednesday, Jan 31st.
- Training times, 2024 Year planner and gear requirement.
- Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees
- Seniors’ tryouts and training structure
- Team coaching crew
1- Pre-season, tryouts, and team selections start Wednesday, Jan 31st.
We will run a 5-week pre-season training for players to get back in shape and tryout for a team starting Wednesday, January 31st.
Dates:
- Jan 31st
- Feb 7th
- Feb 14th (Players Evaluation Night)
- Feb 21st
- Feb 28th
For any team requiring tryouts due to either having too many players or for selecting a second team, a team selection panel, including the coaching staff, will be formed.
Players don’t need to do pre-season training to be selected on a team. However, it is highly recommended, especially if you’re new to the club.
In Week 3, the coaching staff will evaluate players on the ice for the purpose of team selection, player development and goal planning.
Pre-season is a pay-as-you-go and is not included in the season fees.
- $30* per week – Pay on POS at the door or buy online.
- Buy 5-week package for $140* (save $10) (non-refundable) – Buy online
- Those who did the Early Bird scheme are covered for all 5 weeks.
- Seniors who purchased the Early Bird will be credited for up to 3 weeks as they now only have 2 pre-season weeks per team.
Each week, all players must check-in their attendance at the door before going on the ice.
*+ credit card transaction fees
2- Training Times, always on a Wednesday
For pre-season and all team training, the times will be as follows:
- 7U/9U/11U – 5:15 to 6:15 pm
- Ice cut (15min)
- 13U – 6:30 to 7:30 pm
- Ice cut (15min)
- 15U/Women(Foxes) – 7:45 to 8:45 pm
- Ice cut (15min)
- 18U/ ECSL (Heat) – 9 to 10 pm
- Ice cut (15min)
- 2 Senior teams – 10:15 to 11:15 pm*
*Senior teams will alternate between times, and each team will have at least 2 training sessions per month.
Please review the year calendar for dates.
Gear requirements:
As always, to join in club activity, you need all the gear, and this year, seniors will also need to wear a neck guard. (This rule was always applied to juniors and is now extended to everyone). See the gear requirement list.
3- Registrations, Training Fees and Game fees
Ice hockey always has 3 types of fees to consider
a) Registration is from March 1st to Feb 28th every year. Our 2024 memberships are not open yet, however:
All returning players or players under a development membership are covered for the pre-season training.
All newcomers who never registered will need a temporary free try-out membership [click here to sign up] before getting on the ice. Once you click the link, simply sign up (if you don’t have an account.
Then, on March 1st 2024, the new registration cycle will open, and everyone on a team will need to register for their new membership.
The new 2024 membership costs are not out yet, but below is last year’s cost to give you an idea for budgeting:
b) The 2024 training fees (once pre-season is finished) are as follows:
Explaining the breakdown:
The total training fee covers you for all training sessions for the season and is non-refundable.
It works out at ~$20-22 per week, depending on the team, if you attend every week.
Pay-as-you-go is not available for training because ice is the club’s most significant cost and must be shared across all players.
IHNSW charges each team that has accredited game officials (referee and line officials). Not applicable to all teams.
Club membership fee enables you to become a member and vote at AGMs. The funds raised from the membership get re-invested into hockey development and club activities.
If you choose to pay by 3 instalments, each instalment will be due on the following dates:
- March 1st
- May 1st
- July 1st
c) Game fees are an estimate at this stage since the IHNSW game schedule is not out yet.
- Team managers organise and pay rinks on game day.
- Some teams choose to collect in bulk.
- Teams will play around 15-20 games per season.
- The cost is usually around $20-$25 per game.
4- Seniors tryouts and training structure
This year, our senior teams will have training during the season from 10:15 to 11:15 pm.
Seniors’ pre-season training slots will be as follows:
Dates:
- Jan 31st – For Wolves div1 and Apes div3 current returning players only
- Feb 7th – For Pigeons div2 and Hippos div4 current returning players only
- Feb 14th – Open tryouts open to any senior aged players looking to join one of our teams or move up a division.
- Feb 21st – For Wolves div1 and Apes div3 players only
- Feb 28th – For Pigeons div2 and Hippos div4 players only
The open tryout is an opportunity for any players to get selected to join one of our senior teams.
Team management will be present and will be selecting players based on available roster spots.
Once season training starts, it will continue to rotate as above from March 3rd, starting with Wolves Div 1 and Apes Div3 and so on. Please review the year planner for dates.
5- Team coaching crew
Our crews are being assembled as we speak, more will be added to the list but the core is set.
U7/U9/U11
Game day U7/U9 coach: Ash Moore
U11 Head coach: Scott Epp
Training and assistant coaches:
Ethan Caruso
Tomas Krenek
Petr Kanak
Marek Kapsa
Matt Monaghan
U13
Head Coach: Hugh Deraps
Training and assistant coaches:
Nik Eberhardt
Amanda Sollars
Chip Graf
Scott Gillies
Ethan Caruso
Rory Forester
U15
Training and assistant coaches:
Daniel Dornak
Ethan Caruso
U18
Head Coach: Matt Adams
Manager: Kristen Burton
Arctic Foxes:
Head Coach: Logan Russel
Assistant Coach: Gabe Robledo
Assistant Coach: Craig Zimmerman
Manager: Natalie Caruso
Wolves Div 1
Manager/Coach: Gregor Rozenberg
Manager: Ash Moore
Pigeons Div 2
Manager/Coach: Steven Caruso
Coach: Logan Russell
Apes Div 3
Manager/Coach: Hugh Deraps
Hippos Div 4
Manager/Coach: Logan Russell
Goalie Coaches and Support
Sera Dogramaci
Luka Dimopoulos
Club Coaching Director
Gregor Rozenberg